Los Angeles Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman (right) and Mookie Betts celebrate after scoring on a single by Max Muncy during the first inning in Game 1 of a baseball NL Championship Series against the New York Mets, Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024, in Los Angeles .
11:57 JST, October 23, 2024
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Freddie Freeman writes himself into the Los Angeles Dodgers’ lineup for their World Series opener against the New York Yankees.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt in anyone’s mind that I’ll be in the lineup for Game 1,” he said during a Zoom press conference on Tuesday.
Naturally, the final decision on the lineup rests with manager Dave Roberts, after discussions with the front office.
In Game 1 on Friday, Freeman will have marked a week since walking on his sprained right ankle in NL Championship Series Game 5 against the New York Mets.
The All-Star first baseman missed Games 4 and 6 of the NLCS. Freeman was 3 for 18 against the Mets after hitting .286 in the NL Division Series against San Diego.
“I obviously have an issue with my ankle, so if I’m not in the lineup that day, that means the best option is with our guys,” Freeman said. “I haven’t played three games yet and I think they’re averaging about nine runs a game without me in it. I have a lot of confidence in everyone.”
Freeman said he can hit and walk comfortably, but his ankle lights up when he takes the first step to run. He has been treated for hours for the first sprained ankle of his long career.
“I want to get this thing as calmed down as I can, to give my best self and be ready to get to Game 1,” he said.
When Freeman was forced to sit, third baseman Max Muncy moved to first base and Kiké Hernández moved to third base.
Freeman typically hits third, behind Shohei Ohtani as the leader and Mookie Betts, giving the Dodgers three former MVPs at the top of the rankings.
“You’re talking about one of the most consistent players in the game over the last 10, 12 years,” Muncy said. “To get him back, to have him in that lineup, it just adds that depth. Plus, all the major hits, the clutch hits that he’s had in his career this time of year, you can’t really quantify how valuable that is.
Freeman injured his ankle on September 26 against the Padres trying to avoid a tag at first base by San Diego’s Luis Arráez and missed the Dodgers’ final three regular season games.
He also missed eight games at the end of July to be with his three-year-old son Maximus, who was diagnosed with a rare neurological condition.
